NationStates Jolt Archive

Note: We didn't write this proposal, but we support it, and would like to bring it to everyone's attention. :)

Licencing for Guns

A resolution to tighten or relax gun control laws.

Category: Gun Control
Decision: Tighten
Proposed by: CTerryland

Description: This proposal recognises first of all that the decision whether to legalise firearms is a sovereign right of every nation in the Nationstates world, but insists that a licencing system is introduced throughout the UN. All nations hereby are required to implement a licencing system with the following minimum requirements for the carrying of firearms:

1. They must teach (and test) the proper storage and stowing of firearms.

2. They must teach (and test) proper use of firearms.

3. Use of firearms by those under 16 is hereby banned.

4. When purchasing weapons or ammunition all retailers are hereby required to see the gun licence.

5. There will be a minimum grace period of two years so that people can get licenced before the licence is required.

The arguments are as follows:

1. This resolution does not ban the use of guns, but simply implements a logical control in order to prevent guns falling into uneducated (and therefore dangerous) hands.

2. Criminals often use illegally acquired guns. Under this legislation they can be required BEFORE they commit a crime.

3. Many nations require licencing for the driving of automobiles. This is because, in uneducated hands, automobiles can be dangerous. The same can be said for firearms.

4. If the licencing system is introduced throughout the UN that makes it much harder for weapons to fall into unlicenced hands.

Currently on page 6 of the proposals.

We already require Licensing in our nation. The main reasons we are against this is 1. we don't belive that this is something the UN should be involved in and 2. we allow people under 16 to use firearms for purposes of hunting as well as training for future military jobs under special circumstances. Therefore we reject this proposial.


General Arthur Hendrik representing the Dominion of Yrneh

Hummmm. We argree that certain levels of gun control are needed to provide a measure of safety to the populace and to prevent accidental injury or deaths.
This is a good measure and would recieve our endorsment if minor changes where made:

3. Use of firearms by those under 16 is hereby banned.

-This should be changed to: UNSUPERVISED use of firearms by those under 16 is hereby banned.
In many places hunting, sport shooting, and other hobbies useing firearms are commonly practiced by those under the age of 16. Plus we believe the sooner a child is tought to understand and use a firearm it lowers the chances of an accident occuring.

5. There will be a minimum grace period of two years so that people can get licenced before the licence is required.
-We feel that 2 years is a bit extreme of a waiting period. Our waiting period is 6 months for a handgun and no waiting period for a long-gun as long as the user has been licenced. Perhaps this should be stricken and left up to each nation.

2. Criminals often use illegally acquired guns. Under this legislation they can be required BEFORE they commit a crime.
-I am sorry but I do not get this statement. If criminals are gaining the guns illegally then this whole process is mute because they are simply going to bypass it. We are veiwing this as a method to stop accidents and deaths of law following citizens.

On a whole this proposal has merit by does not replace personal responsiblity. Gun owners are still responsible for the safe handling and conduct of firearms.

Minister to the UN
Henry Peabody

I agree. If the goal is to stop the criminals from aquiring illegal guns, how are they getting them? If you can't stop them from getting the guns your case is pointless.

We would like to point out that not all nations in the UN age at the same rate as humans. A certain nation of penguins has two or three generations in those 16 years.

My aly penguseburg has up to 4 generations in that amount of time.

So, once you reach 16, you are magically able to safely handle a firearm?

Ill be strait with you: i dont support this proposal. How about You cannot fire a firearm unsupervised untill you have undergone and passed a gun safety class?

While it is something I would support as an issue, it is not an issue that transcends national boundaries; therefor, not, in my opinion, UN worthy.